Caution | Outdoor water restrictions in effect

Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions are in effect. We are also asking businesses and residents to reduce indoor water use by 25%.

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Critical water main repair

Updated September 7, 2024 at 3:20 p.m.

Bearspaw South Feeder Main repair

In early August, we determined that several further urgent repairs along the Bearspaw South Feeder Main would be required.

These began on August 26 and are expected to run until the end of September. While the repairs are underway, our water supply is limited.

We are asking Calgarians to take steps to save water so that we have enough for essential uses.

What you need to know:

Latest updates: September 7, 2024

Water use

  • Friday’s water use was 505 million litres, which is up from 502 million litres the day before. At this level of demand, the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant and pumping stations are operating at capacity.
    • We’re over 80 per cent of the way to our goal. We continue to ask all Calgarians to not use City water outdoors, and to take steps to conserve water indoors: skip flushes, limit showers to three minutes, and only wash full loads of laundry and dishes.
    • We’ve reached out to our large commercial customers and secured a commitment to reduce consumption by 3 million litres a day.
    • City recreation facilities have closed hot tubs and steam rooms and adjusted programming and cleaning processes to use less water.
    • Starting today, showers at City arenas and the Calgary Soccer Centre will be turned off.
    • City arenas will use non-potable water to flood ice surfaces and the Murray Copot Arena ice surface will be installed using non-City water.
  • In anticipation of warm weather ahead, we have increased the hours for residential river water pick up at our three sites.
    • Residents can access river water pick-up sites from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Repairs

  • Work continues and is nearing completion at the first four repair sites along 33 Avenue N.W. and Shouldice Park. We continue to work closely with impacted residents, and we appreciate their patience and understanding as we complete this work.
  • Excavation work has commenced at 5 of the 6 segments along 16 Avenue N.W. Construction at these sites has resulted in road closures from 46 Street N.W. to 41 Street N.W. Traffic is being detoured onto Bowness Road, which is fully open in both directions with direct access to 16 Avenue N.W. and businesses. 
  • Construction remains on schedule to be completed by Sept. 23

Enforcement

  • We continue to investigate reports of outdoor water misuse, and are issuing tickets at residential, multi-family, and commercial properties. To date, 22 violation tickets have been issued.

Calgarians who are seeing outdoor water misuse can continue to provide information related to these instances through the Calgary 311 app or Calgary.ca/311. Our bylaw officers are actively following up.

Calgary.ca/311

Top three ways to help save water

During the repairs, no outdoor water use is allowed. We're also asking Calgarians to focus on taking the following three actions that we know make the biggest difference to household water consumption.

Reduce toilet flushing. Flush only when needed. 

Reduce toilet flushing. Only flush when needed. 

Keep showers to 3 mins or less

Keep showers to three minutes or less.

Do laundry with full loads only

Only run the washing machine and dishwasher with full loads.

Daily water demand

The daily water demand numbers shown below include the water used by all Calgary residents and businesses along with our regional customers (the City of Airdrie, the City of Chestermere, Tsuut’ina Nation and the Town of Strathmore).

Traffic impacts

Throughout the repair period, some road closures will be necessary as we complete repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main.

For more information on current road closures, visit calgary.ca/trafficinfo

33 Ave construction information

Below is the information being shared with residents and community members:

We will provide construction updates directly to impacted residents and businesses as they are available.

Sign up to receive updates

Additional information

Flushing mains after repairs is essential

As part of federally and provincially legislated water quality requirements, The City is required to maintain water quality after completing repairs. 

  • Flushing ensures high-quality drinking water and protects our water distribution system.
  • Flushing must occur after a water main is repaired so that any sediment and contaminants that may have entered the pipes are removed.

For safety reasons residents should keep a respectful distance from workers and allow them to focus on their work.

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